Chapter 24: Universally Loathed

The next second, Duan Yubai slammed his chopsticks down with force.

"Su Nuo! Is this how you do things? I actually thought you were willing to contribute to this family!"

"Oh, stop it. Nuo was just keeping me company and chatting. Why are you being so harsh?" Mother Duan quickly stepped in to shield Su Nuo. "Nuo has been tidying the rooms all day; she’s exhausted. How can you, as her brother, have no sympathy for her at all?"

"Exhausted? She looks perfectly fine to me," Duan Yubai said, casting her a scornful look.

He had always kept that room maintained; even when Mo Xiaoxue lived there, it was cleaned daily. For Su Nuo to go in there was nothing more than a show—what could she possibly have cleaned? As the pampered Miss Su, she had never lifted a finger in her life. She couldn't even fold clothes, let alone clean a room.

But he didn't know that Mo Xiaoxue had deliberately trashed the walk-in closet earlier that day and thrown out many of Su Nuo’s old clothes. It had taken Su Nuo hours of grueling work just to get it back in order, all while having consumed nothing but half a bowl of porridge the entire day. She was no longer the arrogant Miss Su; in the industrial park, she had been treated worse than a stray dog. If she didn't work, she would die, so she had naturally learned how to do everything.

If Duan Yubai had looked closely, he would have seen the calluses on her hands. But she kept her head bowed, never once defending herself. That was the first lesson she had learned upon entering the park: no matter what others say, you are not permitted to talk back. If you do, you get a brutal beating. In that place, no one was considered human; they were mere cattle. Disobedience meant being beaten—beaten until you were half-dead.

Su Nuo was terrified, paralyzed by fear, which was why she had adapted to the rules so quickly. Back then, she had only one thought: she had to make it back. She had to tell Duan Yubai that she wasn't lying to him, that she had truly been kidnapped. But since her return, every time she met Duan Yubai’s mocking gaze, she lost the desire to explain. He wouldn't believe her anyway; what was the point?

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Su Nuo forced herself to stand up and moved to stand quietly by Mother Duan’s side.

"Nuo, sit down and eat with us," Mother Duan urged, pulling her close with concern. After all, she had raised this girl; of course, she felt for her. As long as Su Nuo didn't conflict with the interests of the company, the family, or Duan Yubai, she was still her favorite daughter.

Su Nuo stood there woodenly, not making a move. Seeing her like this only made Duan Yubai angrier. "If she wants to play the servant, then let her serve. Come here and dish me some soup!"

Hearing his command, Su Nuo walked over with trembling legs and carefully poured a bowl of soup. Mo Xiaoxue noticed the scalded, red skin on the back of Su Nuo’s hand, a dark, unreadable look flashing in her eyes.

"Why don't we have Miss Su make some shaved ice for dessert after we finish?"

"You have period cramps, don't eat it," Duan Yubai said calmly.

Su Nuo stood to the side, biting her lip gently. So, he remembered that Mo Xiaoxue had cramps, but he didn't remember that she suffered from them, too. That day she had fainted from the pain, yet he still wouldn't forgive her. Su Nuo lowered her head even further, reflecting her position in this house.

Mo Xiaoxue pouted. "Just a little bit, just a tiny bit, okay?" Her voice was cloyingly sweet as she coquetted. Surprisingly, Duan Yubai, who usually had no patience for such behavior, agreed.

"Well? Why aren't you going? Do I need to invite you?"

"I—I'll go right now."

Mo Xiaoxue’s voice drifted from behind her, "Make it hand-shaved ice, okay?"

Su Nuo practically fled to the kitchen to retrieve the ice. The blocks were freezing, and the pain in her hands flared up again. The contrast between the intense cold and the searing burns made her feel as if the skin on her hands was peeling away from the bone. She endured the agony and prepared the shaved ice. Mo Xiaoxue wanted it, and she could not refuse. If she defied her, Mo Xiaoxue would release the videos of her. Then, she would truly be finished.

Half an hour later, the dessert was served. She placed it carefully beside Mo Xiaoxue. Mo Xiaoxue gave an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry. Mr. Duan says I have cramps and shouldn't have it. Just throw it away."

Su Nuo looked at the shaved ice, then at the back of her own hand, and finally just took the bowl away and dumped it in the trash. She was such a filthy person; of course, no one would eat anything she made. Su Nuo sniffled, her mood lifting slightly. At least there were plenty of leftovers from dinner; she should be able to get a full meal today.

But just as everyone finished eating, Duan Yubai dragged her outside. The moonlight cast his profile in a sinister light.

"Have you thought it through?"

"What?" Su Nuo asked, looking at him blankly.

Duan Yubai felt a surge of irritation. "Do you really want to be a servant for the Duan family?"

Su Nuo lowered her eyes, remaining silent. Wasn't this what he wanted? The Duan family didn't keep idlers; she couldn't just eat without working.

Seeing her expression, Duan Yubai felt increasingly agitated. "There’s a limit to throwing tantrums. If you keep this up, no one will pity you."

Bitter, Su Nuo realized he still thought she was faking it. A tantrum? Only those who are loved can afford to throw tantrums. For someone like her, who had no one, just staying alive was enough—how could she dare to throw a tantrum?

Suddenly, she caught the familiar scent of milk candies, and two candies appeared before her eyes. She froze, feeling as if the blood in her veins had turned to ice. These were the candies Duan Yubai had bought for Mo Xiaoxue.

"There, isn't this your favorite? Eat a candy and stop the act." Duan Yubai insisted, forcing the candies into her hand. "Why is it so hard for you to just soften up? How long are you going to keep this up?"

"Ugh!"

A wave of intense nausea hit her, and Su Nuo instinctively ran to the restroom. She finally understood the feeling. Every time she touched Duan Yubai, she felt sick. This man she had once relied on had refused to save her when she was in mortal danger. When she finally managed to crawl back, he ridiculed her. He didn't even care about her dignity, refusing to spend even a small amount of money to buy back the videos that were ruining her life.

Tears streamed down her face as her stomach churned. She heard Duan Yubai’s footsteps outside the restroom door. She instinctively locked it, wanting no further contact with him. Yet, she didn't throw the candy away; she didn't know when she would go hungry again. As sickening as the milk candy was, could it be worse than the taste of rat meat?

She locked herself in the restroom for hours, waiting until she assumed everyone had gone to bed, before pushing the door open to leave. As expected, when she returned to the kitchen, all the leftovers had been cleared away. The kitchen was scrubbed clean, leaving not a single scrap for her.

Suddenly, a small boy appeared, drooling as he stared at the candy in her hand. Su Nuo recognized him as the grandson of the housekeeper, Mrs. Zhang. Before she could move, the boy rushed forward and snatched the candy from her.

Mrs. Zhang walked in just then, glaring at her viciously. "Miss, did you do that on purpose? A child shouldn't have too much sugar—what are you trying to do?" Mrs. Zhang shot her a hateful look, grabbed the candy from the boy, and threw it directly into the trash can.

Su Nuo stared blankly at the candy in the bin. Just like her, it was despised by everyone.